New Beginnings
Col. James Blackburn, the 75th Commander of 2SCR, right, and Regimental Command Sgt. Major Mark Morris, left, unfurl the Regimental colors during a ceremony held July 4th at FOB Lagman Afghanistan.
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Story and Photos by Sgt. Jerry Wilson
Zabul, Afghanistan – The Dragoons of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment celebrated this Fourth of July with the official uncasing of the Regimental colors at FOB Lagman in Zabul, Afghanistan. This historic event marks the 2SCR’s official assumption of command of Task Force Dragoons and Combined Team Zabul.
In a stirring speech that would rival the immortal words of Patton himself, Col. James Blackburn, the 75th Regimental Commander put an inspirational perspective on the unit’s mission as he addressed the Troops.
“The questions, if not us then who? If not now then when? Have been asked for a very long time,” he said. “Well I will tell you as we stand here on the Fourth of July, our forefathers already have answered those questions for us.”
“It is you and it is now!” Blackburn continued. “There is no question this war will be won this year, and this war will be won by Soldiers of this Regiment for the Afghan people.”
“It will be won right here in southern Afghanistan where it started,” he said. ‘The Taliban’s cradle will become it’s grave, here in southern Afghanistan, as the Soldiers of this fantastic Regiment write the next chapter of our history.”
Blackburn stressed the magnitude of the role each Soldier will play in the Dragoon’s mission in Afghanistan.
“You are part of something much larger than yourself,” he said. “We are all part of something much larger than just this Regiment, but this Regiment will be pivotal in the victory here.”
The Colonel closed by urging each Soldier to remain dedicated and focused and not lose sight of the Regiment’s ultimate goal, providing for the security of the Afghan people.
“There is no time to stop and wait for somebody to build a better bunk,” he said. “To wait for somebody to create the best FOB.”
“There is a very, very narrow window of opportunity we will exploit in short order.”
“Thank all of you for what you’ve done to this point and thank you more importantly for what you are about to do in the future.”
We are not just Dragoons for a three year term PCS tour. We are Dragoons for life! The colors are the symbol of the unit. Uncasing the colors mean that 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment, the oldest continuously serving regiment in the United States Army, are here and ready for operations in Afghanistan. Toujours Pret.
If not us than who?
Col. James Blackburn, the 75th Commander of 2SCR, thanks his Troopers for their commitment and dedication to the mission during an uncasing of the colors ceremony held on the Independence Day at FOB Lagman.
2 Comments
Thanks guys. I appreciate what you’re doing and hope ;ile hell that all of you come back safely.
I was the Forward Surgical Team Commander at Lagmen just before you arrived. We moved to a different location and turned over the mission to the Navy. I also am a former Dragoon that did time with the 2nd ACR at Polk and in Iraq from 2003-2004. I was the Flight Surgeon and Interim Regimental/Brigade Surgeon. Just missed ya! Hope all is well and you have a great mission.